Cybi

Holy Venerable Cybi (Cuby) was in the 6th century a bishop, founder and abbot in Cornwall and north Wales, one of the best-⁠known saints of the island of Anglesey, together with Saint Seiriol. According to his medieval Lives, he reposed on 8 November 555. He is a saint of the undivided Church.

His Life, preserved in two Latin forms of about 1200, is of doubtful value. It says he was the son of Salomon, a warrior prince thought to have been a king of Cornwall, and of Saint Wenna, sister of Saint Non. He was raised a Christian and went on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Returning home, he found that his father had died and he was king, but he politely declined the throne and travelled through the land preaching and building churches at Duloe and Tregony.

He then moved to south Wales, where he founded churches at Llangybi between Usk and Caerleon. The legend says he crossed the Bristol Channel with ten followers; the local duke Edelig threatened to expel them but fell from his horse, which died, and he and his men became blind; Edelig prostrated himself before God and they were cured, and the horse restored to life. He sailed on to the north and settled at Llangybi on the Llŷn peninsula, where Ffynnon Gybi, his well, has waters long believed to heal. King Maelgwn Gwynedd gave him the old Roman fort at Holyhead, thereafter called Caer Gybi, where he founded a large and important monastery. He was a great friend of Saint Seiriol. He is said to have attended the synod of Llanddewi Brefi in 560. He was buried in the chapel of Eglwys y Bedd adjoining his monastery.

He is commemorated on 8 November, the liturgical date in the Orthodox calendar (the same day number on the old and new calendars).